Launched in 2007, the Volkswagen Tiguan was so successful that its manufacturer waited almost 10 years before releasing a new model. Produced in nearly 5 million units, this car was awarded a “Golden Steering Wheel” for its entire journey in 2018. To find out for sure, we tried it.
First impressions of the Volkswagen Tiguan 2
Intended for international customers, the 2016 VW Tiguan enjoys a good reputation. The price of this SUV on the second-hand market confirms this craze. Many owners of this vehicle are pleased to have gotten their hands on a well-finished car on the outside. The successor to the Volkswagen Touareg also has the particularity of integrating quality materials into the passenger compartment.
For this review, we chose a Tiguan 2.0 TSI 180 that left the Volkswagen assembly lines in the winter of 2017. This is a model delivered with the 7-speed automatic gearbox. You have to opt for the TSI 150 to have a 6-step manual gear lever. This Tiguan also has the famous 4Motion transmission. Pampered by its owner, this car was entitled to a general service every 30,000 km. Apart from a loosening of the fastener at the level of the third gear, nothing special appears in its maintenance book. Moreover, driving in no way revealed this concern.
Other details to note on this SUV
Around 700 liters, the size of the trunk is downright impressive. However, traces of rust on the lower part could betray this almost faultless journey for this Tiguan. It should also be mentioned that the manufacturer had to recall the models released at the end of 2016 following a defect in the welding of the front seat frame. Already resolved, this issue should not impact the reliability of vehicles produced later.
Before continuing, it should be noted that the Tiguan is intended for Europe, Africa, but also the United States. In addition to the Wolfsburg factories in Germany, its assembly lines are also located in Algeria, Mexico and on American soil. Suffice to say that a wide variety of finishes is available. Some models have 5 seats while others offer 7. In any case, all versions have a 1.2 to 2 liter rail engine. Less complex and easier to assemble, it is equipped with a particle filter.
A German engine without much history
New or used, the Tiguan 2 enjoys a real brand image. With more than 125,000 km on the clock, our control model has lost none of its charm. This longevity stems mainly from the mechanical components on which the manufacturer has focused all its attention. Being the target of criticism in terms of pollution, the brand has made the particle filter much easier to change. Replacement costs €150. This price entitles you to a pressure differential sensor with relatively satisfactory durability.
Some owners of the Volkswagen Tiguan II sometimes deplore a certain tendency to consume oil. This problem was recurring with the 2.0 TDI 150 engines. There is a reason why engineers require the automatic transmission for the largest blocks. In any case, models with a 1.4 TSI 125/150 petrol engine benefit from a better reputation. Unbelievably, they have no problem with the tensioner roller. Unveiled in July 2020 the rechargeable version, the 245 hp Tiguan eHybrid expands the range.
Some problems with the gearbox
Although few incidents have been reported about it, the DSG7 automatic transmission sometimes seems capricious. A 2.0 TDI 150 owner had to change the computer for €1,300. At the origin of its hassles, certain gears do not switch to manual mode. The German brand was able to make robotic boxes more reliable from 2014.
Clutch problems have also been reported by customers for manual transmission models. This was particularly the case for the Tiguan TDI 150 which recorded premature disc wear. The bearing requires replacement at only 22,000 km. If this problem occurs, you will need to budget around €1,650 for spare parts and labor. This subtlety counts for fewer points on the reliability summary table.
Life aboard an SUV that lives up to its reputation
The interior of a Tiguan II is that of a Premium SUV Made in Germany. This means quality materials assembled with exemplary German rigor. Airbags caused some problems for vehicles leaving the factory in 2016 and 2017. The manufacturer once again issued a recall for non-compliance. Internal code 69P4 was not respected. As a result, certain devices facing the driver and passenger front seat may not deploy in the event of a collision.
On-board technology is the strong point of Tiguan 2. It is equipped with a central console that is intuitive to use. However, malfunctions occur with wires gnawed by rats. Anecdotally, starch-based hoses have been killed by livestock. In the end, some cables were discovered in poor condition during the inspection. Starting can become hazardous and a loss of power is sometimes noticed while driving.
What is the verdict?
Despite some minor technical problems, the Tiguan 2 remains a safe bet. This SUV lives up to Volkswagen’s reputation, even if it is aimed at a diverse clientele. Although the first models caused some inconveniences, the most recent versions are much more reliable. A second-hand VW Tiguan II costs more than some new SUVs, but consider purchasing it as an investment in the best of German auto mechanics.
